Williams shareholder Toto Wolff has been appointed as an executive director of the team's holding company.

Wolff became a minority shareholder in 2009 and has been on the board since then as a non-executive director. His new position will see him work alongside team principal Sir Frank Williams and take a bigger role in the future direction of Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC.

"Toto's new role, working closely alongside myself, is about Williams looking forward and managing the successful running of the company," Williams said. "I am looking forward to our new working relationship and I have every belief that this partnership will help take Williams F1 from strength to strength."

Wolff added: "It's a great honour for me to be assisting and supporting Sir Frank in his role as team principal at Williams. I have been a shareholder in the business since 2009 and I am really looking forward to being able to take my responsibilities to a new level. I know that together we will work tirelessly to make the Group and team as successful as it can be."

The International Rugby Board (IRB) have stripped Australia of the right to host a round of the World Sevens Series, scheduled for Brisbane on 16-17 February, after the Australian government's refusal to provide visas for the squad from Fiji